MY JOURNEY BECOMING A PUBLISHED AUTHOR

Once I arrived home from the doctor’s office I knew that I wanted to journal my fears and questions, and what had been happening to my body for the past few months. Writing was a tool I had used most of my life to rise above, or outshine, sexual abuse, family alcoholism, untimely deaths, and divorce. After I heard the fateful words, “You have cancer,” recovered from surgery, gone through chemotherapy, and had begun a new life as a cancer survivor, a friend asked if she could read my journal. Days later she called to encourage me to publish my journal saying, “Women need to read this.”

Hi, Karen. Turning your cancer journal into a book is a wonderful way to reach out and help others facing the “you have cancer’ words spoken by a doctor. I’ve not had to face that yet, but have loved and friends who have — including two cousins battling breast cancer at the moment. Welcome to our blog, Karen.

Sounds like you have very hard won courage as well as empathy and compassion to show others. Thank you for sharing your story, as well as the process and encouragement for all of us. Welcome to our blogging family!

I read Outshine. It’s a powerful memoir. I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago. I knew I should journal but decided to do some denial instead (the navigator at the Breast Cancer Center said a little denial could be a good thing). I have done some blog posts; one of them is listed under your as a Related Post. Last week learned that eighteen months after radiation, my tests are all clear. I knew at the outset that I had to smile, for my immune system if nothing else, and told my doctor I needed him to believe I could get through it so I could. He said that’s what he wanted to hear, but for a long time, he had trouble being upbeat. Now he’s smiling. I live from scan to scan, but I’m living, and I’m grateful.